January 30, (THEWILL) – At least seven top commanders of the Joint Security TaskForce in Galadiman Kogo, in Shiroro local government area of Niger state, have reportedly been killed by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram.
THEWILL learnt that several other members of the Joint TaskForce were injured and are currently in government facilities in Minna, the state capital receiving treatments.
Also killed in the attack are four members of the newly recruited local vigilantes to reinforce the operation of the Security TaskForce operating in communities in the area.
Several houses, vehicles and other properties belonging to members of the community were also razed by the attackers.
Sources within the communities said many villagers were also caught in the crossfire as corpses littered the area.
The gunmen, numbering over 50, were said to have launched the attack on the Joint Security TaskForce camp in Galadiman Kogo community on Saturday afternoon at about 3:00pm, when they were all in the camp.
A source close to the community said the gunmen took advantage of the rowdy market day in the community to launch the attack.
The attack, villagers said, might be a reprisal for the recent killing of scores of the gunmen and recovery of over 500 animals by the Joint Security TaskForce in the area.
The entire Galadiman Kogo has been deserted as several residents have relocated to the nearby Zumba community where they are currently taking refuge.
According to our source, the gunmen were earlier seen moving (in large numbers) towards the area on Saturday morning from Allawa.
“We did not know that they were coming to attack the special hunters in Galadiman Kogo. They came through Galape and Kudodo where they confiscated a vehicle and asked the driver to bring them to Galadiman Kogo. Some of them came on motorcycles while others trekked, there were many of them, that is why they overpowered the security People”, the source said.
Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, Mallam Suleiman Chukuba, confirmed the attack on Galadiman Kogo, but was not forthcoming with details of casualties. He however said “the situation was terrible.”
Meanwhile, following the bloody attack on Galadiman Kogo, THEWILL gathered that the Joint Security TaskForce stationed at Kuchi in Munya Local Government Area of the state have shut down the camp with immediate effect.
They were seen moving out of the community in the early hours of Sunday.
The development has equally led to exodus of people from Kuchi town and other communities around Sarkin Pawa for fear of possible attack by the gunmen.
A source from Sarkin Pawa in Munya local government area, said the gunmen whose appearance look like Boko Haram, are currently assembling in Kusasu community in Munya local government, adding that “I have passed this latest information to the appropriate authority for their action.”
